Lord Bethell, the Health Minister who sponsored a Parliament security pass for Matt Hancock's aide Gina Coladangelo, is under formal investigation, a watchdog has confirmed.
The minister - a friend of the shamed former Health Secretary - faces calls to be sacked over the pass given to Ms Coladangelo, after video of her kissing Mr Hancock in breach of Covid rules was published.
He's also sparked anger after it emerged he held 27 meetings - including nine which resulted in lucrative Covid contracts - which went undeclared for more than a year.
The Lords Commissioner for Standards today confirmed Lord Bethell is under investigation over his "use of facilities".
And a spokesperson confirmed: “The Commissioner for Standards is investigating a complaint regarding Lord Bethell’s sponsoring of a pass for Gina Coladangelo.”
The pass gave the married aide - who was pictured snogging her boss Mr Hancock on leaked CCTV - access to corridors of power on the Parliamentary estate, which includes both the Commons and the Lords.
Peers can obtain up to three passes for secretaries and research assistants, but only if they “genuinely and personally” work for that peer.
But the Sunday Times reported that Mrs Coladangelo has never worked for Lord Bethell personally.
Instead she had frequently been pictured by Mr Hancock’s side, and had a £15,000-a-year role as a non-executive director at the Department of Health.
